Always You.

Twenty One

He kept whining and pleading and calling her 'sweet' names.

So she gave him her phone to call Drake's house and ask his father if he could take Drake with him.

Turned out, it didn't take much to convince Dom.

"Go get Drake."

She said, turning off the engine of her car.

"Okay."

He opened the door and hopped off.

Allie watched him ring the doorbell, the door opened, Dom appeared. He smiled at James and roughed his hair.

Drake showed up and pushed himself between Dom and the doorpost, stepped out and took James's hand

They both waved at Dom and raced towards Allie's car.

"Hey sweetheart."

She smiled softly at Drake.

"Hi Allie."

Drake said and climbed in the backseat while James held the door open for him.

"Seatbelts."

Allie ordered, watching them through the preview mirror.

Satisfied, she started the car and reared out of Dom's driveway.

James noticed she was distracted and didn't bother her with unnecessary talk.

She watched them through the rearview mirror, talk in hushed tones.

Dom was actually stupid. Anyone observant would notice the resemblance between these two boys.

When she first met Drake, she thought it was just a coincidence until she met his father.

Her deepest fear was loosing James. Dom could do anything in a fit of anger.

"Mom?"

James voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Mmm?"

She checked them briefly before turning back to the road.

"Are you alright?"

A small smile broke across her lips.

"No."

She looked up right in time to see him frown.

"What's wrong?"

She didn't miss the concern in his voice.

"I just love you so much it's beginning to drive me crazy."

She said, smiling and James's blush couldn't be redder.

"Ohh... I love you too."

Allie chuckled.

Drake sat quietly beside James.

She could see the longing in his blue eyes.

Her heart reached out to him. She knew she couldn't be there for him as much as she wanted to. She couldn't get his hopes up, she couldn't make him feel like she was going be there forever.

"Here we are."

She said and parked in an empty spot.

"Where are we?"

Drake finally spoke.

"My friend's place."

She unlocked the doors

"Come on guys."

She walked into the cozy diner with them trailing behind her.

She helped them into their seats before taking a seat across them.

She looked around. For a Sunday morning, the dinner was quite full, only a few empty tables.

Lydia walked towards them.

"Hi Allie. James is waiting upstairs, he's expecting you guys."

She smiled at the boys and walked off.

Lydia was James's second child. She just finished college and decided she wanted to run the family's cafe.

"Okay, come on guys."

She waited for them to get down from their seats before leading them to the staircase.

She stopped to let them climb up the stairs before her.

James's home wasn't classy but it was cozy, and comfortable. After his son left the country, he moved in here with his family.

I saw no need for a huge house if Lydia and Mike wouldn't be there.

He was retired from the civil service and needed something to keep him busy.

Surprisingly, the door was open wide.

The living room was well decorated, she noticed as soon as she stepped in.

"Happy birthday James!"

People screamed and popped out of their hiding places.

The boys screamed and clung to her out of fright.

Allie stood there, watching James approach them. He was smiling but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"Helo."

He said, Allie smiled and let go of Jimmy's hand to wave at him.

"This is Drake."

She smoothed Drake's hair.

"...and this is James."

She smoothed James's hair too.

She introduced the boys to everyone in the living room.

"Ohhh... Birthday boy."

Everyone said.

James knelt in front of them and smiled, starring between the boys.

"Hi gentlemen, I'm James."

His smile widened when James's head shot up to look at him.

"Yeah... I'm James too."

He added and took both their hands and led them towards the middle of the room as everyone started singing the typical happy birthday song.

Allie was a little uneasy about the new faces around them.

But James and Drake were too engrossed in the cake and lights to be bothered.

She could only tell three faces, James's, his wife's and Lydia's.

"Sweetheart, this way."

Meg, James's wife said and led her into the small crowd.

Turned out, they were all James's relatives, his sisters and nieces and nephews.

Nice people, everyone seemed happy to meet her. The thing she didn't understand was the guilt and sadness they all had in their eyes.

A glass of wine was shoved into her hand, despite her refusal to drink.

She watched her boys closely, there were only three other children about their age here.

James had blown out all his candles and they were all playing a 'game' with very flexible rules.

"Allie, can I talk with you for a minute?"

James said calmly.

She nodded and sat upright.

He shook his head. "In private."

Allie looked at her boys, reluctant to leave them here.

"Don't worry, they'll be fine. We'll be in the next room."

He added, offering his hand for her to take. She did, and halfheartedly let him lead her to the adjoining room.